~Elvira~
The walk to the mansion was silent.
I kept my eyes down, but noticed high sensory cameras tucked into the oak branches, their red lights blinking.
Silverblade had a massive security network.
The pack house was a large mansion of marble and white stone, beautiful but intimidating.
Inside, the air was filled with the quiet presence of patrolling warriors.
We stopped at a door labeled OFFICE.
The guard knocked, and Gabriel’s voice barked from within.
"Enter."
The guard shoved me inside and left, closing the door firmly behind him.
I was alone with Alpha Gabriel.
He sat behind a desk of dark polished wood reading a stack of reports.
The office felt powerful, expensive, and entirely cold, there were no family photos or personal items, just a massive window overlooking the territory.
I stood there on trembling legs, waiting for him to notice me.
Finally, he stood up.
His powder-blue shirt showed the heavy bulk of his shoulders as he walked around the desk toward me, he stopped close enough for me to feel the heat radiating off his skin, his nostrils flared as he caught my scent and gaze moved slowly over me.
When his eyes reached my chest, his brow furrowed in irritation.
"Hope you had a good night's rest," he said,
"It was cold, and I didn't sleep at all," I snapped back, my exhaustion overriding my caution.
"Are you implying my pack lacks hospitality?" He arched a brow,
"I’m grateful I wasn't killed," I replied, forcing a polite expression.
"But 'hospitable' isn't the word I'd use for a stone floor and no water."
Gabriel reached out, his fingers hooked under my chin to tilt my face up.
The touch sent heat straight through me, and my body responded instantly.
My n*****s hardened perking noticeably against my tank top, through the bond I felt a brief flash of his own attraction before he masked it with a sneer.
"Do you enjoy walking around without a bra?" he asked harshly.
"Or is this another rogue tactic to distract me?"
Heat rushed to my cheeks.
I quickly crossed my arms over my chest, mortified.
"They’re uncomfortable, I didn't think I'd be standing in an Alpha’s office today."
He stepped back and leaned against his desk.
"What's your name?"
"Elvira Bradford," I said, using my mother’s maiden name. I refused to give him a trail leading back to my stepfather.
"And your pack?" he pressed,
"I’d rather not say. I want nothing to do with them."
A snarl ripped from his throat.
"You think you’re in a position to make demands? You are a trespasser. I am the Alpha. You will answer every question I ask, or I will ensure your stay here becomes significantly worse."
He loomed over me, his wolf pushing to the surface, when his phone rang.
He barked a greeting into the receiver.
As the person on the other end spoke, the color drained from his face, replaced by absolute rage.
"Are you sure?" he asked, his grip tightening on the phone. "Get the security teams ready."
He slammed the phone down and looked back at me, his eyes unfocused.
"I’ll deal with you later," he said.
"Don't leave this room!"
He hurried through the door, leaving me alone in the silent office.
I released a long breath and felt my pulse slow down, I was safe for the moment, but the look on his face told me that whatever news he had just received, trouble was coming and maybe I was caught right in the middle of it...